Aussie nature lovers, foodies and culture junkies are drawn to Winnipeg for its urban adventures tailormade for all ages and interests.
Read on to discover how the dynamic capital city of Manitoba in central Canada has earned its reputation as one of the country’s year-round multicultural hub. Explore six of Winnipeg’s newest urban offerings and some old favourites that have stood the test of time:
The Leaf – Canada’s Diversity Gardens
The latest attraction at Assiniboine Park Conservancy, The Leaf is a magnificent, indoor/outdoor horticultural display, rapidly growing into one of the most visually stunning gardens of its kind in Canada. The outdoor gardens span 30 acres featuring six unique domains – Indigenous Peoples Garden, Kitchen Garden, Sensory Garden, Performance Garden, Seasonal Garden, and The Grove. Opening in November 2022, The Leaf’s indoor biome will allow guests to explore four spectacular worlds: the Tropical Biome, Mediterranean Biome, Babs Asper Display House and Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden.
Resplendent with innovative horticulture, mosaics of colour and fragrance, exotic plants and balmy environments, visitors to the ever-changing gardens will explore themes of sustainability and conservation, beauty and expression, and spirituality and consciousness.
Qaumajuq and the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)
Founded 110 years ago, WAG is renowned as one of Canada’s leading visual art museums, housed in an iconic modernist building in the heart of downtown Winnipeg.
Featured within the WAG, Qaumajuq is a new art museum that opened in March 2021 and is home to the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. This first-of-its-kind centre is an innovative cultural campus inspired by the light-filled spaces of the new building, Qaumajuq (pronounced KOW-ma-yourk) means “it is bright, it is lit” in Inuktitut. The undulating white stone of Qaumajuq’s façade hovers above the ground, as if floating over the glass-filled lobby. Its abstract quality recalls the vast scale of the North as well as the carved forms of the artwork within its walls.
Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
This world-class aviation museum is home to innovative exhibits showcasing more than 90 aircraft, 70,000 artefacts, texts, photographs and the emotional stories of Canadian aviators and innovators. Located next to the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport this brand-new 86,000 square foot facility, which opened its doors in May 2022, is home to one of the largest aviation heritage collections in Canada and one of only six ‘Royal’ museums in the country.
Even before its establishment as a city, Winnipeg was the epicentre of trade and commerce for Indigenous nations and travellers headed north. When air travel landed in western Canada in the 1920s, Winnipeg became the operational headquarter for Canada’s first three national air services. This incredible museum celebrates the rich aviation history of the province, known for its big skies.
The Forks
You haven’t truly immersed yourself in Winnipeg’s urban culture until you’ve spent a day at The Forks, arguably Winnipeg’s most popular neighbourhood. Situated at the meeting point of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and adorned with murals and sculptures created by Indigenous artists, The Forks is a hub of great eateries, craft breweries, shopping, and pop-up attractions. Enjoy lunch around a communal table at The Common and soak up the sunshine on a River Boat Tour.
During winter, locals and visitors can’t get enough of the Nestaweya trail, the longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world. There are many creative ways to traverse the trail, including on an ‘ice cycle’, a bike-skate-ski contraption that allows explorers to hit the ice with added stability. Alternatively, jump on a ‘kick sled’ and use your feet to propel yourself forward, rent a fat bike or simply strap on some skates or snowshoes. You’ll feel like a local in no time.
FortWhyte Alive
For close encounters of the four-legged kind, immerse yourself in a bison safari at Fort Whyte Alive, a nature preserve on the edge of Winnipeg. Discover how these magnificent prairie beasts helped shape Canada’s history and why the bison is the symbol for ‘respect’ in the Seven Sacred teachings of the local First Nations Anishinaabe People.
As North America’s largest land mammal, the bison has to be seen to be believed. Bison summer safaris are a favourite bucket-list experience for Australian visitors looking for a quintessential Manitoba experience.
The Exchange District
Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District is abundant with exceptional heritage buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Stroll the cobblestone paths and alleyways of this 20-block region, known as the ‘Chicago of the North’, and marvel at the imposing stone warehouses, terracotta-clad buildings and eclectic narrow streets.
A walking tour is the best way to explore this National Historic Site and hear stories of power struggles, corruption and heroism that shaped Winnipeg as you meander through this collection of incredible architecture. The Death and Debauchery tour is a favourite among visitors, divulging the dark secrets that made Winnipeg the ‘wickedest city in the dominion’. Catch a glimpse into a different side of Winnipeg’s history with a legal red-light district, corrupt mayors, murder most foul, and the biggest unsolved robbery in western Canadian history.
Note for all travellers:
We encourage all travellers to be fully informed of the pre-entry and on-arrival public health and testing requirements both federally and provincially. This includes the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. For the latest information on travel to Canada please visit the Government of Canada website.
GETTING THERE
Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and direct flights between Brisbane and Vancouver four times per week. From 6 June to 5 September (Monday, Thursday and Saturday) Air Canada will increase its service to twice daily from Sydney to Vancouver. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Daily connecting flights are available from Vancouver to Winnipeg, in addition to the VIA Rail train service.
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